The Real Housewives of New Jersey

The Real Housewives of New Jersey is a Bravo TV show which follows a small handful of women - with expensive tastes and over-the-top personalities - in their day to day lives. What makes the Real Housewives of New Jersey so appealing to viewers is the unique cast of characters including Teresa Giudice, a 40-year-old woman who lives with her husband Joe and their four children; Jacqueline Laurita, a stay-at-home mom who lives with her husband Chris and their daughter; and Caroline Manzo, the oldest of the housewives who's been married for the better part of three decades.

The first two seasons of the show also featured Dina Manzo and Danielle Staub. They were replaced in season 3 by Melissa Gorga and Kathy Wakile.

One thing that makes The Real Housewives of New Jersey unique in the "Housewives" franchise is the fact that all seven of the women who have served in the title roles are related either by blood or by marriage, making their interpersonal relationships seem less contrived than on many reality TV shows where strangers are thrown into a situation to see what happens.

The most famous of the housewives is Teresa Guidice, who most frequently serves in the leading role, although the show is designed to be about all five women in equal share. Guidice, a loud brunette woman with strong opinions and even stronger emotions, is an author and small business owner.

Original episodes air Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.